Could someone explain what the Stars and Stripes edition of the Hobie Cats included? A Google search brings back a couple of images but no background information on this model type which was used on at least the 17's through the 21's.

AFAIK the Stars and Stripes edition was just a sail color in honor of the '84 Olympics.

I have one, a 1989 18, sail number USA 197 (obviously the original 18 number 197 would be much older). It's basically a standard Hobie 18 with a red, white, and blue sail, and a "racing stripe" under the deck overhang.